Participants receive complimentary 8x10 portrait and a free directory.You also will be given the option of purchasing additional poses and formats.

About Your Portrait Session: Please allow up to one hour for your professional portrait session. Be prepared for your session and show the real you. Lifetouch suggests that you wear solid colors with long sleeves. Consider bringing meaningful items to be included in your portraits. Examples: special keepsakes, sports equipment, musical instruments. See note about pets below.

*Pet-friendly Days. If you want your pet(s) in your family portraits, schedule your session for one of the designated Pet-friendly Days. People without pets also may be photographed on those days but should realize that pets may be present. Please bring your pet(s) on a leash or within a carrier. Please do not bring pets that do not travel well or do not get along with others.

Watch the decorating any time between 10 am and 2 pmFriday, December 9, in Fondren Hall

Our many, experienced childcare workers make it possible for St. Paul’s to hold our worship services and many other activities.

To tell them “thanks for being here,” please place a Christmas Love Offering into one of the green envelopes in the Jones Building Foyer on Sunday mornings or indicate “Childcare Love Offering” on other donation methods.

Order Christmas tamales or purchase Christmas cards and gift tags handmade by members of the Fe y Esperanza congregation on the Plaza this Sunday, December 11. Pick up pre-ordered tamales from the Jones Building second floor kitchen on Sunday, December 18, between 10 am and 1 pm.

A beloved event for generations this is a fun-filled eveningof crafts, Santa, snacks, and music for all ages in Fondren Hall. Wesley Singers lead sing-along.

All are invited to join with St. Paul’s Moms as they distribute books at MacGregor Elementary, 4801 LaBranch, Thursday, December 15, from 9:30 to 11 am. These will be the books donated at this fall’s Mitzvah Day.

On Wednesday, December 14, St. Paul’s Moms will hold its annual holiday potluck breakfast off site, also from 9:30 to 11 am. All are asked to bring one or more gently used children’s books to be included in the next day’s distribution at MacGregor.

Childcare will be available at the church for both occasions.

Questions? About Book Fair: email ataylor@stpaulshouston.org. About St. Paul’s Moms: email jwest@stpaulshouston.org.

The Fe y Esperanza congregation will hold the traditional Las Posadas search for a place at the inn starting Friday, December 16, to Friday, December 23, from 5 to 7 pm in Abraham Station.

Each evening begins with a procession with the Holy Family knocking on doors. They are rejected at the first two. At the third door, they are invited inside where they celebrate with a brief devotional, prayers, and singing plus an “aguinaldo,” or “bonus.”

A similar procession marks the beginning of the 10 pm bi-lingual Spanish/English Christmas Eve service. From the Labyrinth, the Holy Family knocks on two doors, eventually being welcomed through the Main Street entrance into the Sanctuary.

Tacos al pastor (vegetarian and beef) will be served prior to this Christmas Eve service.

All are invited to participate in any part of this tradition, whether or not you speak Spanish.

The St. Paul's Youth Strings will be in the Jones Building Foyer at 9:30 am Sunday, December 18. The ensemble includes violinists from beginning elementary school children to older middle school students plus one cellist, who is in elementary school.

The Children’s Christmas Candlelight worship service at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church will be at 4:30 p.m. Sunday, December 18, in the Sanctuary.

People of all ages are encouraged to attend this service led by the Children’s Choirs as children read and enact the Christmas story and everyone sings carols and lights individual candles.

“The service is a wonderful opportunity for children to practice being worship leaders,” said Ellen Edwards, Director of Children’s Ministries.

The children serve as ushers, greet worshippers, and distribute bulletins and candles. The young readers make the announcements, pray the offering prayer, and tell the Nativity story. From the altar candles, Acolytes pass the light into the congregation while worshipers sing Silent Night. The St. Paul's Youth Strings will be directed by Antoine Plante.

“Every role is highly valued, and children learn that they have gifts to offer in the worshiping community,” said Edwards. “Because this service is so reverent and beautiful, the congregation always includes many people without children of their own.”

Even the youngest are welcome to the service though childcare also is provided in the Jones Building across the plaza from the Sanctuary.

To help ensure parking spaces for our many Christmas Eve visitors, to the extent you are able, please park in the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, garage across Binz from St. Paul's large lot. Thanks to the MFAH for making this garage available from 10 am to 11 pm for these worship services.

Christmas Day | Sunday, Dec. 25One Worship Service at 11:05 amChildcare and children's church provided during this service. No children's or Youth Sunday School. Adult classes meet at their option; check with yours.